Buffalo Funds Awards Champions of Character Program Center Grant to Martin Methodist College

Posted on 08.28.06

- Staci Schottman, NAIA

Olathe, Kan. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that Buffalo Funds in conjunction with its national sponsorship of Champions of Character, has awarded Martin Methodist College (Tenn.) a grant to assist with its campus Program Center initiatives.

Martin Methodist, Buffalo Funds and the NAIA share the underlying philosophy of the Champions of Character initiative through the core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship and servant leadership. The entire Martin Methodist community is committed to the goal of creating an environment in which every student-athlete, coach, parent, official and spectator is dedicated to the true spirit of competition.

Martin Methodist launched the Champions of Character initiative on October 4, 2001, assisted and partnered by the Tennessee Titans and Executive General Manager Floyd Reese. Since the inaugural year, Martin Methodist College President Dr. Ted Brown and Athletics Director Jeff Bain have worked together to grow the scope and reach of the Champions of Character program including the establishment of a campus Program Center that will serve as a hub for character education for members of the local and regional community.

“Character skills are acquired traits, not born traits. For character skills to be mastered, not only must they be taught; but they must be taught by respected and creditable individuals. We believe that part of our mission is to teach our student-athletes to live meaningful lives,” said Martin Methodist College Athletics Director Jeff Bain. “In doing so, they assume the responsibility to teach character skills to the next generation of leaders. The cycle must not be broken. If character skills are not intentionally taught and monitored they are very likely to never be acquired.” 

The grant from Buffalo Funds will be used to enhance every aspect of the Champions of Character Program Center on the campus of Martin Methodist. This Program Center will utilize workshops, clinics, community summits, coach and parent meetings and other resources to engage RedHawk student-athletes and coaches in character events throughout the region. This grant will allow the college to expand upon its existing program, thereby reaching more audiences with additional services and resources.

This is the second year Buffalo Funds President John Kornitzer, founding partner of the Champions of Character program, has awarded Program Center grants. With assistance from Buffalo Funds, the NAIA has developed over 25 Program Centers across the country including centers at the United States Military Academy at West Point Department of Physical Education (N.Y.) and College of the Southwest (N.M.). College of the Southwest will also receive a Program Center grant from Buffalo Funds for its dedication to character education on campus and the community.

“Every successful venture has leadership. Martin Methodist sees Mr. Kornitzer and his staff as visionary leaders in our national crusade to bring respect and wholeness back to the athletic fields and sport courts. In a very real sense, Mr. Kornitzer has invested in Martin Methodist and we sincerely intend to be excellent stewards of his financial support with our Champions of Character Program Center,” said Bain. “Not only does Mr. Kornitzer’s support help solidify our internal operations on our campus and within our community; it provides us a chance to expand our external operations throughout other communities across middle Tennessee.” 

The implementation of the Champions of Character Program Center is the responsibility of not only the athletic department, but the entire collegiate campus at Martin Methodist. The Program Center will operate under the following objectives: 1) to implement, teach and monitor the five core character values, 2) to build and foster relationships throughout the region, 3) to energize coaches and staff to inspire others through their teachings and 4) to promote ethics and morality standards.

To achieve the listed objectives Martin Methodist will use defined themes for student-athletes, parents and coaches, have a host of community enrichment events that teach, recognize and reward character excellence and hold seminars for targeted audiences including professional development for the school systems throughout the South Central Region of Tennessee. Bain and his staff believe collectively these efforts will bring awareness and meaning to Martin Methodist’s Champions of Character Program Center and will have a direct impact on thousands of youth annually.  

“Without the financial support of corporations like Buffalo Funds and the guidance of the NAIA National Office, Champions of Character initiatives would more often only be a chapter within the institutional athletic handbook,” said Bain. “Funding and guidance helps give “life” to the initiative. They provide a pulse with the heartbeat that keeps the program energized.”

-NAIA-

A leader in the development of student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to changing the culture of sport through Champions of Character. Founded in 1937, the NAIA continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity, and character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23 collegiate championships in 13 sports for its nearly 300 member institutions throughout the United States and Canada.

-Buffalo Funds-

Buffalo Funds is the Official Sponsor of the Champions of Character program. Buffalo Funds assists in the Champions of Character program growth and is the title sponsor of the NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship.